_: "The challenges Cyprus faces require a response of continuous, active, and effective diplomatic activity, highlighting the country's advantages and explaining the national issue, creating space for action to promote its interests" the Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes in a statement, following the completion of the contacts of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, at the headquarters of the United Nations (UN), within the framework of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The Ministry notes that Kombos held a significant number of bilateral meetings and had contacts with his counterparts from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Gulf, Asia, and Central Asia, and officials in multilateral organizations and stresses that "the guiding goal of the aforementioned diplomatic action remains the expansion of the diplomatic footprint of the Republic of Cyprus, a goal that is served through the deepening of existing bilateral relations, the creation of conditions for establishing regular dialogue, the development of mutually beneficial cooperation prospects, and the continuous upgrading of the presence and international status of the Republic of Cyprus."
Apart from contacts with his counterparts, Kombos also met with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and candidate for the position of UN Secretary-General, Rafael Grossi, as well as with the Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Rebeca Grynspan, who is also a candidate for the same position. Furthermore, Kombos met with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, and the Executive Director of the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Jorge Moreira da Silva.
The Minister also signed a total of nine Agreements and Memoranda of Cooperation, as a result of prior preparation and groundwork, which aim at strengthening the institutional framework of the country's bilateral relations, as the Ministry notes, emphasizing that this constitutes a tangible expression of the diplomatic focus of the Republic of Cyprus.
Two Trilateral Ministerial Meetings between Cyprus-Greece-Egypt and Cyprus-Greece-Jordan, that took place during this period are also considered of particular political and substantial significance, according to the Ministry. Kombos also participated in the Ministerial Discussion on the Middle East, the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, and a high-level Ministerial meeting of the International Coalition for the implementation of the two-state solution in the Palestinian issue.
He also participated in a high-level parallel event organized by the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of India on Artificial Intelligence, within the framework of international peace and security, with an emphasis on maritime security aspects, a central issue for Cyprus. Additionally, Cyprus hosted the high-level meeting of the Small States of Europe, which was a joint initiative with the Principality of Andorra.
The Minister also accompanied the President of Cyprus in bilateral meetings, and attended the lunch hosted by the President for the Permanent Representatives of the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council. Finally, Kombos accompanied the President in contacts with expatriate organizations in the United States of America.